Daily News Brief on Rakhine State Affairs 10/05/2018

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar issued the statement on the Dhaka Declaration of the 45th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Dhaka from 5 to 6 May 2018, which expressed concern over alleged human rights violations by security forces in Myanmar. The said statement rebuts Dhaka Declaration’s reference on situation in Rakhine State, and calls for Bangladesh’s sincere cooperation to start early repatriation.

In the Statement, Myanmar categorically rejects the irresponsible labelling of “ethnic cleansing” or “State backed violence” to describe events in Rakhine State and reiterates that the Government has stated time and again that no violation of human rights will be condoned and allegations supported by evidence will be investigated and action taken in accordance with the law. It also expresses that as the monsoons are approaching, Myanmar is now focusing on expediting the repatriation process and to that end, Myanmar urges Bangladesh to take all necessary steps to help the process in accordance with the said agreement. Myanmar stands ready to facilitate the voluntary, safe and dignified return of the displaced persons from Rakhine.

Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin called in the Ambassador of People’s Republic of Bangladesh to Myanmar Mr. Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury on 8 May 2018 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw and raised a number of border security issues and challenges hindering early repatriation of the displaced persons.

During the meeting, the Union Minister reiterated Myanmar’s readiness to commence repatriation of verified displaced persons from Rakhine State before the monsoon as agreed by the two governments and also informed the Ambassador of Myanmar’s desire to resolve the issue of displaced persons and any other issue of common concern through bilateral negotiations and cooperation in a spirit of good neighbourliness.